VISITORS TO a university laboratory will get the chance to “try their hand” at building and operating part of a human-like robot.

Leeds University’s robotics lab is holding an open day this Saturday to allow people of all ages to learn about their cutting-edge work.

Younger visitors will be able to help build a robotic hand created on the world’s largest 3D printer.

They will be given a mystery bag of ‘bones’ and can work with engineers to build the hand. Then they will be able to control a hand attached to an arm to carry out tasks, and watch another which has already been programmed to operate independently. Participants will be able to take away a miniature version of the robot hand with them.

The event will also allow people to learn about innovative robots, created by the university’s experts, which have explored the great pyramids of Giza, been programmed to play a guitar and which have carried out research into global warming on lakes in Nepal.

Professor Martin Levesley, the university’s pro-dean for student education said: “Our students are working at the cutting edge of robotic research and are keen to share their knowledge and enthusiasm and know their work will make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The university has organised the open day as part of the national UK Robotics Week organised by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, which runs from Saturday until Friday July 1. The open day takes place in the university’s School of Mechanical Engineering in Woodhouse Lane from 11am until 3pm.

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